Acrylic

An extremely versatile plastic sheet with a glossy finish, acrylic, also known as Plexiglas®, is the perfect choice when you want signs with a sophisticated, high-tech look. Highly durable and available in a variety of colors, acrylic is often used for illuminated, architectural, tradeshow and point-of-purchase signs.

Sign Applications

This plastic product can be heated to form many shapes. Use it to create:

• Boxes
• Brochure holders
• Signs and easels, all-in-one
• Point-of-purchase products
• Menu boards
• Tradeshow exhibits
• Retail signs
• Restaurant signs
• Nameplates and name badges
• Directional and informational signs
• Showroom signs
• Office building signs

Sign Ideas

Increase the visual effectiveness of your acrylic signs by:

• Adding stripes and borders
• Applying multiple lettering colors
• Incorporating a logo or graphic symbol
• Using multiple layers of acrylic to enhance the image
• Creating a three-dimensional effect—giving the perception of depth to the finished product—using clear acrylic and applying a background color to the reverse side
• Designing custom applications
• Using bent easels
• Using non-glare acrylic to reduce glare problems

Installation

Acrylic signs may be displayed in several ways:

• Self-supporting (bent easel)
• Hanging
• Using Velcro®
• Gluing
• Using double-sided tape
• Applying suction cups

Care

• Do not leave acrylic in direct sun or in a hot car; it may bow or bend if not laying flat
• Handle acrylic signs with care because acrylic scratches easily and can shatter or chip upon impact
• Use acrylic signs for long-term indoor use or for short-term outdoor use in areas protected by overhangs or awnings. (This does not apply to acrylic used in light box signs)

Sign products and materials may vary by location. Contact your local FASTSIGNS® center for more information on product availability.

Aluminum

Lightweight, yet sturdy, aluminum is a great choice for outdoor signs. It comes in a variety of colors, and with a baked enamel finish, is highly durable, weathering the elements without rusting.

Sign Applications

• Pool and spa rules
• Real estate signs
• Parking garage signs
• Service signs
• Directional and informational signs
• Building signs
• Traffic and regulatory signs

Sign Ideas

Increase the effectiveness of your aluminum signs by:

• Adding stripes and borders
• Using additional lettering colors
• Adding a logo or graphic symbol
• Designing custom applications
• Using frames or stakes

Installation

Aluminum signs may be displayed in several ways:

• Framed and staked
• Glued to walls
• Riveted or bolted to walls
• Wired to fencing

Care

Be careful when installing your aluminum sign (or have FASTSIGNS® install it for you). While the baked enamel finish is resistant to weather, it is brittle and scratches easily.

Sign products and materials may vary by location. Contact your local FASTSIGNS® center for more information on product availability.

Banner Material

Rely on FASTSIGNS® durable, nylon-reinforced vinyl banners for your promotions, special events, grand openings and sporting events. Highly weather resistant, our banner material works well indoors for short- and long-term installations and outdoors for temporary purposes. Because of the material's strength, it can be cut into almost any length or dimension. Banner material is available in many colors to meet your needs.

Banner Tips

• Choose the vinyl and nylon woven banner material stocked by most FASTSIGNS® centers for durable, long-lasting banners. Although there are other banner materials, such as Tyvek and polyethylene, few last as long as vinyl and nylon woven material
• Consider using a heavier weight material when your banner will be suspended between poles or buildings
• Plan to apply letters to one side of your banner only. Our standard, stocked banner material is guaranteed to be vinyl-receptive on one side. If the sign is hung outside, letters on the second side may come off quickly. If letters are applied to the proper side, though, the banner will be more durable outdoors

Banner Applications

• Grand Opening and Coming Soon announcements
• Sales and promotions
• Special events
• Sporting events
• Tradeshows

Banner Ideas

Increase the effectiveness of your banners by:

• Making them larger
• Adding stripes and borders
• Using additional lettering colors
• Adding a photo, logo or graphic symbol
• Utilizing unusual shapes or designs

Sizes

The maximum banner size is virtually unlimited, and we can create customized banners in any size you want or need.

Finishing & Mounting

FASTSIGNS® offers many options for finishing and mounting your banners:

• Grommets—Attach banners at regular points to distribute their weight evenly and prevent sagging
• Pole Pockets—Insert rigid poles into pockets along your banners’ edges for a more even weight distribution. This can prevent sagging and make your banners more rigid
• Hemmed Edges—Reinforce the sides of your vinyl banners to maintain their shape and prevent stretching
• Power Tape—Reinforce the edges of your shear-cut banners or banners that have no material available for hemmed edges
• Banner-Ups—Attach plastic tabs with eyelets to each corner of your banners to create convenient hanging points
• D-rings with Nylon Webbing*—Secure large banners that will hang on buildings with D-rings and ratchet straps
• Nylon Webbing*—Reinforce the tops and bottoms of your banners to extend their lives—especially if you’re in an area that is prone to high winds

* Extra time required.

Installation

• In production, grommets will be placed in all four corners and every 2-3’ feet between, across the top and bottom. These are used to hang and secure the banner while minimizing stress. The two-ply corners ensure strength for intermediate to long-term outdoor life
• Special care needs to be given to the installation of large banners. If you are unsure of the best application method, call your local FASTSIGNS® center

Care

• When storing your banner, roll the banner with the graphics or letters to the outside to prevent letter separation and air bubbles. Never fold your banner because it will cause it to have creases
• Proper care and handling will improve the longevity of your banner

Banner Installation and Care (PDF)

Sign products and materials may vary by location. Contact your local FASTSIGNS® center for more information on product availability.

Plastic

Corrugated plastic, also known by the brand name Coroplast®, is a versatile, extruded twin-wall plastic sheet that comes in a variety of colors. Lightweight and cost-effective, it is ideal for a wide variety of indoor and short-term outdoor uses.

Sign Tips

• Use corrugated plastic as a substitute for poster board or card stock for interior applications. Its surface is not affected by most oils, solvents or water, and cleans easily
• Cut through the first corrugation to create A-frame signs or table tents. The cut will also enable you to fold the sign and carry it in a briefcase or suitcase
• You may notice faint horizontal lines when you look at corrugated plastic. It is aligned with flutes that generally run horizontally across the width of the sign

Sign Applications

• Menu boards
• Special event signage
• Directional and informational signs
• Indoor point-of-purchase signs
• Temporary and promotional signage
• Tradeshows

Sign Ideas

Increase the effectiveness of your corrugated plastic signs by:

• Using stripes, borders and additional lettering colors
• Adding a logo or graphic symbol
• Using frames or stakes, or displaying on an easel

Installation

Corrugated plastic signs may be displayed in several ways:

• Hanging
• Self-supporting (with an easel)
• Applying suction cups
• Using double-sided tape or Velcro®
• Framing and staking

Sign products and materials may vary by location. Contact your local FASTSIGNS® center for more information on product availability.

PVC

Expanded PVC (polyvinyl chloride), also known as foam PVC, Trovicel® and Sintra®, helps you project a high-quality, professional image. Medium-weight and durable, expanded PVC can be installed and transported easily and is great for long-term indoor or short-term outdoor use. It is available in a variety of colors, and its matte finish reduces glare, hides fingerprints and can be cut easily into shapes, so you can create custom applications.

Sign Applications

• Point-of-purchase displays
• Menu boards
• Directional and informational signs
• Name plates and name tags
• Tradeshow signage

Sign Ideas

Increase the effectiveness of your PVC signs by:

• Adding striping and/or borders
• Using bent easels
• Adding lettering colors
• Using a logo
• Incorporating a graphic symbol
• Cutting into unusual shapes or designs

Installation

PVC signs may be displayed in several ways:

• Self-supporting (bent easel)
• Hanging
• Applying suction cups
• Using double-sided tape or Velcro®
• Framing

Care

• Do not leave PVC signs inside your car. Expanded PVC tends to warp when exposed to heat or sunlight for extended periods of time
• Install PVC in sheltered, low-humidity areas when possible. It may absorb moisture and mildew when left in exposed outdoor locations
• Without proper handling, PVC can be scratched

Sign products and materials may vary by location. Contact your local FASTSIGNS® center for more information on product availability.